I have wanted to make rice bags for many years and today I made some. I have not seen head warmer rice bags and so this is how I made them. I made some hand warmers also. Please use this pattern at your own risk and read all the cautions. Rice bags have been known to catch on fire. It all depends on the microwave, amount of rice in the bags, fabric used and so on. Do not microwave any bag unless you stay right there with it.

These rice bags have many many uses other than a head warmer or hand warmer. You can use these for warming your bread at the table, hand warmers, use for colds, headaches, relaxing over the eyes, reducing headaches, soothing small puppies and kittens, cold packs, air fresheners just to name a few. The head warmers are larger and can be used for larger areas of the body. The head warmer is stuck to the top of the hat so most of the weight is not noticed on the head. They do not slide on the head and they actually help keep your hat in place. After I have used them a while I will update this post and let you know what our experiences are with them. Lets make some bags!

Step 1: Supplies

What you will need:
Please note: 100% cotton muslin is needed for the rice bags. They will catch on fire if you do not use 100% cotton liner and cotton thread. If your microwaving the entire bag use only 100% cotton everything and DO NOT add embellishments or buttons for obvious reasons.

Just gather different scraps you have around the house and if they are too short add a piece by sewing to it.
You can make these any size you want.
Fat quarters work very well.
Hat

Step 2: Tools

This is what you need:

Safety pin for pinning the rice bag to the hat or use Velcro
Pins
Buttons embellishments
Neckties embellishments
Coffee filter pattern piece
Scissors
Needle
100% cotton thread This is a must because you will be heating it in the microwave and poly thread will burn.
Seam ripper
Whole grain rice NOT INSTANT
Marker
Funnel
Bowl
Cup or spoon for scooping the rice
Round plate or something to draw a circle on paper.
Paper.

Step 3: Fabric Preparations

Washing, drying and ironing the fabric:

It is important to wash and dry all the fabrics.
If using cotton fabric it is best to iron it for good results.

Step 4: Pattern

Here are the measurements for the hat rice bag and hand warmers:

For each head warmer rice bag (cut 2 from 100% cotton fabric) 5 1 / 2 inches across.
For each head warmer liners cut 2 from 100% cotton printed or plain fabric 8 inches across.
For each hand warmer rice bag cut 4 from 100% cotton 4 X 4
For each hand warmer liner cut 4 6 1 / 4 X 4 1 / 4

Please note:

I used a paper coffee filter for the head warmer liner pattern.
I used a sour cream cup for a guide to mark the head warmer rice bag.

Step 5: Cut

Cutting the fabric:

For each head warmer rice bag (cut 2 from 100% cotton fabric) 5 1 / 2 inches across.
For each head warmer liners cut 2 from printed or plain fabric 8 inches across.
For each hand warmer rice bag cut 4 from 100% cotton 4 X 4
For each hand warmer liner cut 4 6 1 / 4 X 4 1 / 4

Step 6: Sewing

Sewing the rice bag head warmers, hand warmers, and all liners:

Sew all the head warmer lining pieces with right sides together 1 / 4 inch seam allowance, leaving a wide opening to fill the rice through.
Sew all the head warmer rice bags right sides together leaving about a 4- 5 inch opening to fill.
Trim all threads.
Clip corners.
Turn right side out.

Sewing all the hand warmers and liners:

Repeat the above steps except you will be sewing 3 sides leaving the top area open instead of a circle and you won't be clipping the curves.

Step 7: Turning the Bags

Turning the rice bags and lining right side out:

Turn all the bags right side out.
Use the round area of the marker to push the seam along the edge evenly.
Press well.

Step 8: Fill

Filling all the rice bags:

Fill all the rice bags with whole grain rice.
You want these to lay flat and have some room.
I used 1/3 cup rice for the hand bags if I recall.
I used less for the head warmers because you do not want these too heavy, they are on your head a little.

Step 9: Hemming the Rice Bag Hand Warmers

Hemming all the rice bags hand warmers:

Turn all the bags under 1/ 4 inch and press well.
Sew all the white rice bags on the machine for a finished hem.
Either machine or hand stitch just the hem on all hand warmers. Remember the bag needs to open so you can put the rice in it and remove the rice bags to microwave them.

Step 10: Velcro Head Warmers

Adding the Velcro:

You can sew in Velcro in the center of the head warmer rice bag and the head warmer lining to secure the bag so the weight of the bag is on the hat. It will also keep the bag from sliding. You may pin it to the hat instead. Once you have done that, sew Velcro dots to the opening of the head warmer so the rice bag may be removed for microwaving.

Step 11: Embellishments

Adding the finishing touches:

Embellish the rice bag hand warmers with neckties and buttons for fun.
Do not microwave the liners for obvious reasons.
Remove the rice bag and microwave it separately.

Step 12: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

I have been so busy today I have not had a chance to try out these new babies! This pattern is my own invention for the head warmer so I am not sure if the head warmers will work properly. They seem to be OK but I will post my thoughts about them more after we use them a lot. Just remember not to microwave any bags with embellishments or leave them unattended in the microwave because these have been known to catch on fire. I am including the microwave directions for rice bags from another site that I viewed but I made mine different. She has microwave directions but don't microwave them as long as she says until you try it a few times. I microwaved my hand warmers for 1 minute and it was very hot. I think 30 seconds might be long enough. Ten seconds for the head warmers. The head warmers would be great for cold bedrooms if your head gets cold. All microwaves vary as well as the amount of rice that goes into the bags. The head warmers do not hold as much rice as the hand warmers so they heat up faster. Please be cautious.
Thanks for stopping by and do stay warm this winter.
Sunshiine

Credits:http://quiltbug.com/articles/microwave-bag.htm .